Here's chapter 7! Sorry it took me a few months to update, but life has been keeping me busy. In other news, I have made history! I discovered if you type "Yumi and Shukichi" into Google images, "fangirlforlife23" (which is my youtube and tumblr username) is like the first tag that shows up, which further proves that I am basically Yumi and Shukichi's #1 fan XD This fact both amazes and depresses me. Lol. I've considered changing my username to fangirlforlife23 here on since I use it for almost everything else, but I've been xAstroBoyx since I made my account back in 2009 and I don't wanna change it cause I'm nostalgic :P

Anyways, no more delays, time for the drama and suspense to continue! XD


After finishing up at the restaurant, Sato insisted on making sure Yumi was truly okay before dropping her off at apartment.

"Please take care of yourself, and if Haneda-san calls you back, just do what your instincts tell you, okay? We all just want what's best for you, Yumi." Sato smiled with a hint of worry in her voice.

"I will. Thanks for tonight, Miwako. I think I really needed this." Yumi smiled sincerely.

"Of course, anytime! We need to do dinner dates after work more often! Now promise me you'll get a good nights rest tonight, okay?" Sato affirmed as she began walking down the stairs back to her car.

Yumi smirked in her usual teasing fashion unable to let the opportunity to mess with her best friend slide. "Fine Miwako, but only If you promise to get a good nights sleep yourself since you've had your fair share of late nights these days." She grinned mischievously.

Sato blinked and her face heated red from embarrassment. "I.."

Yumi waved playfully and winked before closing the door. "Say hi to Takagi-kun for me."


Yumi kicked off her shoes and headed to her living room. She picked up the remote and turned on the TV without even giving it a moment's thought. The background noise was all she needed, so it didn't even matter what was playing.

She smiled as she reflected on everything Naeko and Sato did for her, and even the inspector for going easy on her today. They truly were just looking out for her own wellbeing, and she wanted to make it up to them by actually trying to take their advice.

Yumi entered the bathroom and got the water going for a nice hot bath. That was usually the ticket to soothe her stress when the occasion called for it.

After preparing the bath water, Yumi grabbed a fashion magazine off her table. She had a monthly subscription and hadn't read the latest one that arrived in the mail yesterday, so she figured it would make for some good reading to distract herself.

While she was pacing around her kitchen trying to find other distractions, her eyes glanced over at the picture frame that was still face down from Shukichi's visit the previous night. She exhaled a somber sigh and resisted the urge to look at it.

"C'mon, Yumi-sama you're trying to avoid thinking of him and focus on yourself right now. Just get in the tub, read your damn magazine and relax. You know everyone's right about you, you need this." She mentally ordered herself.

After several moments, the bathtub was all filled up, the TV was loud enough for her to enjoy listening to, and the latest fashion magazine was in her hand ready to read. Everything was perfect, and she finally allowed her mind to be at ease.


Yumi made it all the way up to page 41 of her magazine by the time she realized how late it was getting. Usually she preferred just skimming and looking at the pictures as opposed to actually reading the long articles since she mainly bought the magazines to find new styles of clothes she could see herself wearing since she was quite materialistic, but tonight she needed an excuse to let anything else occupy her thoughts.

She set the magazine down the side of the bathtub and took a moment to just let her hair flow in the water and let out a sigh of relief. There were so many thoughts racing through her mind throughout the day, but now it felt like all her burdens were being lifted and she could finally relax.

Normally she didn't stay in this long, but today was a self-care day and she didn't care. Despite how tired she'd been all day, the hot bath really worked wonders and made her feel more refreshed. She didn't want to get out. It felt like she could fall asleep like this is she could.

~ Bzzzzz ~

All of a sudden, the inevitable sound of Yumi's phone ringing snapped her from her escape from reality.

"D-dammit.." Yumi muttered through her teeth as she forced herself out of the tub and grabbed a towel. She entered her kitchen where her phone was sitting, and she didn't even have to look at the name to know who was calling.

After debating letting it go to voicemail since she promised Sato she'd give it time, she realized she'd be a hypocrite not to answer since she screamed at Shukichi for doing the exact same thing in the voicemail she'd impulsively left him earlier.

"Well..Miwako did also tell me to follow my instincts, and.. ugh damn it!" Yumi panicked as she realized time was ticking and accepted the call with only a second to spare.

"Y-Yumi-san?" Shukichi asked with uncertainty since he wasn't sure if she'd answered.

"Yes?" Yumi uttered restlessly as she adjusted the towel.

"I'm just erm, returning your call from earlier." Shukichi spoke politely yet also with a hint of worry since he felt unsure of what she wanted to discuss in the voicemail. "You sound a little preoccupied, I hope this isn't a bad time."

Yumi mentally scoffed at Shukichi's interruption, but then felt a mischievous smirk form on her face as she glanced down at her current physical state. "Oh, of course this isn't a bad time, I'm just standing half naked with my hair dripping wet all over my kitchen floor from the bath I was forced away from." She said flirtatiously to get a reaction out of him

Yumi could practically hear the blood dripping from Shukichi's nose from the flush in his voice. "A-Ah, is that so? Excuse me then, I can call back another-"

"No, no it's fine I'm already out." Yumi interjected and then hesitated to continue since she realized she had to explain herself from earlier.

"Listen, Chukichi, about that message I left.." Yumi began not exactly knowing where she was going with it. Shukichi perked his head up from the sudden change in Yumi's tone and listened intently.

"Today was a bit of a rough day for me, and I was out with Miwako when I called you, and I sort of acted on adrenaline without really thinking it through. Everyone seems to be concerned for me and thinking I need to take some time for myself, so that's what I am attempting to do but, w-whatever it doesn't matter anyway. I'm sorry to have bothered you with my message, it's nothing." she said with slight hurt in the last few words.

There was a brief silence as Shukichi took in what she said. He tried to be careful in phrasing his response. "Yumi-san, I'm sorry I've complicated things for you. I know it's been a lot to take in, and I wish I could fix everything I've done over the years and prevent myself from keeping secrets from you. I respect if you need some more time to-.

"That's just it, I don't need anymore time!" Yumi blurted out realizing it was now or never.

"What do you mean, Yumi-tan?" he asked intrigued by what she'd meant by that.

"Look, I..I can't say it over the phone..maybe you should just come over.." Yumi put a hand over her face feeling like she failed at keeping her word. "Well, Miwako did tell me to follow my instincts and do what I think is best, so in a way I'm not going back on it. It's time to stop with the games and handle this like adults." Yumi mentally prepared herself.

Shukichi's eyes lit up eagerly but he quickly became a stuttering mess when realization hit. "O-okay Yumi-tan, I can be there as soon as possibly- I mean, as soon as possible!"

Yumi raised an eyebrow. "Why are you acting all weird?" Then she looked down at herself and remembered she told him she was basically naked. "Oh, no need to be all hot and bothered, Chukichi, I'll get dressed." She added playfully.

Before hanging up, she could tell her words affected him the way she wanted. "O-okay, s-see you soon, Yumi-tan!" He quickly said with a furious blush.

Yumi smirked as she hung up. "You haven't lost your touch, Yumi-sama."


Alright we're almost at the end! I'll probably add an epilogue after chapter 8, I'm not 100% sure. XD Also I'm sorry, I'm probably gonna add some lemon next chapter, or at least have it implied, I'm open to suggestions. Haha. As always, I'm sorry if my pacing isn't the best or if certain things seem rushed/forced. I really love drama XD Please review! I'd love to hear it!